Walking the Way

Walking the Way

for May 3, 2026

Opening Prayer

Note to leader: before the prayer and the beginning of worship, take a moment to encourage God’s people to settle into God’s Spirit, to breath, to be open to Christ’s presence.

Holy God,

you are the source of all life

and the one who leads us in your truth.

When the path before us feels uncertain,

draw us near to Christ,

who is the way.

When we are tempted to rely on our own understanding,

teach us to trust your presence.

Gather us in this time of worship,

that we may hear your voice,

be formed by your Spirit,

and learn again how to walk in your ways.

Through Jesus Christ,

who is the way, the truth, and the life.

Amen.

Call to Worship

Psalm 37 (TSW)

selected verses

In you, O LORD, I take refuge;

  let me never be put to shame.

  In your righteousness deliver me.

Incline your ear to me;

  rescue me quickly.

  Be a rock of refuge for me,

  a strong fortress to save me.

For you are my rock and my fortress;

  for your name’s sake

lead me and guide me.

Into your hand I commit my spirit;

  you have redeemed me,

O LORD, faithful God.

But I trust in you, O LORD;

  I say, “You are my God.”

My times are in your hand;

  deliver me from the hand

of my enemies and persecutors.

Make your face shine on your servant;

  save me in your steadfast love.

Oh, how great is your goodness,

  which you have stored up

for those who fear you,

  for those who take refuge in you.

Love the LORD, all you his faithful ones!

  The LORD preserves the faithful.

Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

  all you who wait for the LORD.

Come, let us walk in the way of the Lord

and worship the living God.

Hymn of Praise

Jesus Calls Us, GTG #720

Assurance of Grace

Hear the good news:

Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”

We do not find our way by our own strength—

we are led by the One who knows us and walks with us.

When we have lost our way,

God does not abandon us.

When we have trusted what is false,

Christ leads us back into truth.

When we have chosen paths that do not give life,

the Spirit restores us again.

The psalmist declares,

“Into your hand I commit my spirit…

you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.”

Friends, this is our confidence:

our lives are held in God’s faithful hands.

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven,

and we are set again on the way of life.

Thanks be to God.

Trusting in God’s grace and mercy, let us confess our sins and brokenness together.

Responding to God’s Grace

Unison Prayer of Confession

Holy and faithful God,

you call us to walk in your way,

but we confess that we often lose our direction.

We want clarity,

yet we resist trusting you.

We look for certainty,

yet we turn away from your presence.

We follow voices that promise ease

but do not lead to life.

We cling to what is familiar

instead of walking the path you set before us.

At times we wander from you,

and at times we try to go our own way—

forgetting that our lives are in your hands.

Forgive us, O God.

Lead us again in your truth.

Restore us when we stray.

Form us as your people,

that we may walk in the way of Christ—

trusting, following, and living in your grace.

Through Jesus Christ,

who is the way, the truth, and the life.

Amen.

Sharing the Peace of Christ

An Embodied Sign of God’s Grace in Christ Jesus

Friends, we have been reminded that God’s grace extends to all. We have confessed our sins, knowing that we have been forgiven and that God is making us a new creation.

In this spirit, let us share the peace of Christ.

The peace of Christ be with you.

And also with you.

(Share Christ’s peace in ways fitting to your community.)

The Written Word

A Reading from the Early Church

Gospel Reading

Walking the Way

Sharing God’s Word Together

Hymn of Reflection

Take My Life, GTG #697

Affirmation of Faith

Spoken together.

We believe in God,

our refuge and our strength,

whose steadfast love surrounds us

and whose faithfulness holds our lives.

We trust in Jesus Christ,

who is the way, and the truth, and the life,

who calls us to follow him,

and leads us in paths of grace and truth.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,

who guides us when the way is unclear,

who gives us courage to trust,

and forms us to walk in the way of Christ.

We are the church,

a people being built together,

living stones shaped by God’s mercy,

called to walk this way not alone, but together.

In this faith, we live—

trusting our times into God’s hands,

following where Christ leads,

and walking in the way of life.

Amen.

Prayers of the People

Let us pray for the church, the world, and one another.

Christ our Way,

you call us to follow,

you lead us in truth,

and you draw us into life.

Hear us as we pray.

Lead us in your way,

and hold us in your truth.

(pause)

Lord, teach us to walk in your way.

For this world,

where many feel lost or uncertain—

for those searching for direction,

and those who cannot see a way forward—

Be present among them.

Guide them with your wisdom.

Lead them into paths of life.

Lead us in your way,

and hold us in your truth.

(pause)

Lord, teach us to walk in your way.

For places of conflict and division,

where fear clouds judgment

and violence distorts the path—

Be the way of peace.

Turn hearts from harm,

and lead communities toward reconciliation.

Lead us in your way,

and hold us in your truth.

(pause)

Lord, teach us to walk in your way.

For leaders of nations and communities,

and for all who are entrusted with responsibility—

Grant clarity where there is confusion,

and humility where there is power.

Lead them in ways that give life to all.

Lead us in your way,

and hold us in your truth.

(pause)

Lord, teach us to walk in your way.

For those burdened by uncertainty—

those facing difficult decisions,

those waiting without clear answers—

Give them courage to trust.

Remind them that their times are in your hands,

and that you are near even when the way is not clear.

Lead us in your way,

and hold us in your truth.

(pause)

Lord, teach us to walk in your way.

For those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit—

for those walking through sorrow, illness, or grief—

Be their refuge and strength.

Hold them in your steadfast love,

and lead them gently through the valley.

Lead us in your way,

and hold us in your truth.

(pause)

Lord, teach us to walk in your way.

For those who are rejected or overlooked—

those who feel like they do not belong—

Draw them into your mercy.

Build them into your people,

living stones shaped by your grace.

Lead us in your way,

and hold us in your truth.

(pause)

Lord, teach us to walk in your way.

For this community,

and for the life we share together—

Form us as a people who follow Christ,

not only in word but in life.

Teach us to walk together in faith,

to support one another,

and to reflect your truth in all we do.

Lead us in your way,

and hold us in your truth.

(pause)

Lord, teach us to walk in your way.

For the prayers we carry in silence—

(A time of silent prayer)

Christ our Way,

you are with us in every step—

in our questions and our trust,

in our wandering and our following.

Receive these prayers, spoken and unspoken,

and continue to lead us in your way,

through Jesus Christ,

who is the way, the truth, and the life.

Lead us in your way,

and hold us in your truth.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

We pray together, saying:

(The Lord’s Prayer is prayed in the words familiar to the community.)

Hymn of Sending

O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee, GTG #738

Sending

Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”

Go now,

not with all the answers,

but with trust in the One who leads you.

Walk in the way of Christ—

in truth, in mercy, and in love.

And as you go,

commit your life into God’s hands,

for your times are held in steadfast love.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Reflections for Later

For Newcomers

It can feel uncertain to step into something new—especially when you’re not sure what you believe or where you fit.

Jesus says, “I am the way.”

Not, “I will give you all the answers,”

but, “Walk with me.”

You do not need to have everything figured out to begin.

You are invited to take a step—to listen, to wonder, to notice where life is being offered.

This community is not a place for perfect faith.

It is a place for people learning how to walk.

So come as you are.

Ask your questions.

Take your time.

And pay attention—

because the way often becomes clear not all at once,

but step by step.

For Those Rooted in This Community

Over time, it is easy to shift from walking the way

to simply knowing about it.

We learn the language.

We recognize the patterns.

We become comfortable.

But Jesus does not say, “Remember the way.”

He says, “Follow me.”

The life of faith is not static.

It is lived in movement—through decisions, relationships, and daily choices.

Where might you be settling into familiarity

instead of continuing to follow?

Where is Christ inviting you now—

to trust more deeply,

to act more faithfully,

to walk more closely?

The way is not behind you.

It is still unfolding ahead.

For Churches Without a Pastor

There are seasons when the path feels uncertain—

when a familiar voice is no longer there to guide.

It can feel like standing at a crossroads,

unsure of what comes next.

But the promise of Christ remains:

“I am the way.”

The life of the church has never depended on one person alone.

Christ is still present—still leading, still forming, still calling.

In this season, you are invited to walk the way together:

To listen more closely.

To care for one another more intentionally.

To trust that God is still at work among you.

You may not see the whole path.

But you are not without direction.

Step by step,

you are being led.

Need Help?

Follow the link for tips and pointers to help you lead and design worship using this resource.

Rights and Use

© Church Commons. 2026

Written by Rev. Matthew J. Skolnik unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

These materials may be used and adapted for worship and educational purposes within Christian communities. They may not be sold or redistributed for commercial purposes without permission.